Chapter 219: A Wonderful and Unforgettable Night!

Tang Ye stepped into the banquet hall and beckoned to Wen Rong.

Wen Rong had a sharp eye and quickly walked up to greet him.

"Section Chief Tang, everything is prepared. When will the leaders arrive?"

"The leaders will arrive in ten minutes." Tang Ye slightly raised his wrist, glanced at his watch, and said softly.

Tang Ye's gaze swept slowly across the venue, inadvertently landing on the host in the corner wearing a gorgeous evening gown.

In an instant, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes. He truly had not expected that the host Wen Rong had found would be Ding Xiang.

Wen Rong then walked toward Ding Xiang and spoke with her in a low voice about the various details of the opening.

Ding Xiang saw Tang Ye from afar.

At this moment, she suddenly realized that the cold-faced superior Wen Rong had spoken of was actually Tang Ye.

In an instant, her heart was filled with mixed feelings.

Previously, Ding Xiang had heard about Tang Ye's situation from her father; it was said that Tang Ye was being investigated by the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection and had even been removed from his position as Town Mayor, so her father had warned her at the time to give up any thought of having contact with Tang Ye.

Yet, upon meeting again, Tang Ye had already become the Mayor's Chief Secretary and had also become her best friend's superior.

Tang Ye appeared increasingly composed and steady; in every movement, he naturally exuded the unique charm of a mature man.

……

The heavy mahogany door of the banquet hall was slowly pushed open.

Jiang Jing led the members of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission Research Group as they filed in.

Ding Xiang took a deep breath, quickly pulled herself together, and adjusted her state of mind.

Once the leaders had all taken their seats, she elegantly picked up the microphone and walked slowly to the center of the stage with light steps.

"Distinguished leaders, hello everyone! I am the host for tonight's banquet, Ding Xiang. We have specially prepared some unique cultural performances, all of which are related to Hanzhou culture. I hope to let everyone spend a wonderful and unforgettable night.

Before the cultural performance officially begins, let us invite Mayor Jiang Jing to the stage with warm applause to say a few words."

Jiang Jing walked steadily onto the stage and nodded to Qi Yunhui, "I sincerely thank Director Qi Yunhui of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission for coming to Hanzhou to inspect and provide guidance. This banquet tonight is not just a simple meal and drinks; we hope to take this opportunity to let everyone fully appreciate the profound cultural heritage of Hanzhou. Next, I invite Director Qi to the stage to say a few words."

Qi Yunhui revealed a gentle smile and walked steadily to the front of the stage: "Comrade Jiang Jing has prepared a big surprise for us old colleagues. I originally thought it was just an ordinary dinner, but I didn't expect such wonderful program arrangements. I have to say, you all put a lot of heart into this. Comrades, tonight there are not only delicacies but also cultural songs and dances to accompany us.

Come, let us raise our glasses together; let us enjoy the performances while tasting the food."

From beginning to end, Tang Ye had been carefully observing Qi Yunhui's expression.

Until this moment, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

This banquet was meticulously planned, grand yet without losing its elegant style.

It not only allowed Qi Yunhui to fully feel the enthusiasm of the Hanzhou side but also cleverly avoided the embarrassment of being vulgar.

Moreover, in terms of the banquet standards, they strictly adhered to the regulations, and no over-standard situations occurred.

The programs organized and arranged by Ding Xiang were a stroke of genius.

This belonged to a type of implicit investment, the value of which is difficult to measure simply with money.

After all, even with millions in wealth, one might not necessarily have the ability to make a group of talented performers willingly perform on stage for free.

For these performers, being able to showcase their talents in front of provincial and municipal leaders was undoubtedly a very insightful "investment." They knew in their hearts that, given time, they would surely have the opportunity to reap rich rewards in the future.

Working one's way up in officialdom, the ways of the world are mostly like this.

Although it is difficult to achieve great wealth through this, by relying on the various interpersonal resources one holds, if one can cleverly connect and integrate them, one can often achieve unexpected and wonderful effects.

Seeing the right moment, Tang Ye stepped to Qi Yunhui's side: "Director Qi, I toast you! Thank you for your great help to Pinghu before."

Qi Yunhui laughed in spite of himself, his eyes full of appreciation: "I heard you are the chief planner of tonight's banquet? This banquet is arranged quite brilliantly; it has both substance and highlights a profound cultural heritage."

Tang Ye reacted very quickly and immediately pushed the credit onto Jiang Jing, "I was only responsible for the specific execution; Mayor Jiang is the true chief planner and director. The entire process was arranged under Mayor Jiang's careful guidance."

Qi Yunhui turned his head to look at Jiang Jing, "Your Secretary has high political awareness."

The corners of Jiang Jing's mouth rose slightly, "Director Qi, if you have taken a liking to little Tang, I am willing to bear the pain of parting and yield him to you."

Qi Yunhui waved his hand, "A gentleman does not take what others love. I appreciate little Tang very much, but there are still many important projects in Hanzhou that need to be pushed forward; only by having capable officers like little Tang can things be done well."

Jiang Jing turned to look at Tang Ye and gave him a look, "Director Qi thinks so highly of you, why don't you hurry up and show your appreciation?"

"Director Qi, I toast you three cups; please drink as you wish." As soon as he finished speaking, Tang Ye did not hesitate and tilted his head back to finish three cups of wine in succession.

In an instant, a wave of spicy, burning sensation surged in his throat.

"Good tolerance! I must join you for these three cups."

After saying that, Qi Yunhui did not mince words and also boldly finished three cups in a row.

This scene left the others in the Research Group dumbfounded.

Qi Yunhui usually controlled his drinking well; at his level, he no longer needed to use alcohol to prove anything.

This showed that his recognition and appreciation for Tang Ye were extraordinary.

The dinner ended successfully, and the provincial State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission investigation team still needed to return to Qiongjin.

Jiang Jing personally sent Qi Yunhui to the Coaster and then shook hands and said goodbye to the other members of the Research Group one by one.

After the Coaster slowly drove away, Jiang Jing let out a long sigh of relief as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

Looking at Tang Ye beside her, she said earnestly: "You prepared this banquet today with great care, and all the arrangements were very appropriate."

Tang Ye responded humbly and respectfully: "It is mainly because Director Qi recognizes you very much, so the entire reception process was so smooth. I just did some auxiliary work on the side."

Jiang Jing remembered the gift Tang Ye had prepared for this reception, "Bring the gift over for me to see. Just now when he was leaving, Director Qi was full of praise."

Jiang Jing had not seen the gift and thought it was arranged by the Reception Office.

Tang Ye hurriedly took out his phone and dialed Wen Rong's number.

A moment later, Wen Rong hurried over, carrying a gift in her hand.

After Jiang Jing opened it, she studied it carefully, "Eh, did you redesign a new gift? I can tell you put effort into it; it didn't exceed the standard, right?"

Tang Ye immediately replied: "Strictly controlled within the prescribed standards."

Jiang Jing nodded slightly, "The gift was chosen very well. You report it to the Reception Office later and tell them that in the future, when they encounter reception tasks at the department level or above, they should prepare according to this template."

Hearing Jiang Jing's high praise, the heart Wen Rong had been holding in suspense finally settled.

Recalling the high-intensity work done for the reception over these past few days, she felt at this moment that every sacrifice had been worth it.